Spain call-up 15 World Cup winners despite boycott over Luis Rubiales-affair
Jenni Hermoso has not been included in Spain’s first squad since lifting the Women’s World Cup but 15 of her teammates from that triumph in Australia have been called up despite announcing a boycott.
A group of 81 players, including all 23 members of the World Cup squad, indicated three weeks ago that they would not play for Spain again while Luis Rubiales remained Spanish football federation (RFEF) president as a result of his behaviour at the final. Rubiales caused a huge controversy after kissing Hermoso on the lips during the medal ceremony following the team’s 1-0 victory over England. Hermoso insists she did not consent to the kiss.
Amid increasing pressure, Rubiales finally resigned from his post last week but 39 players, including 21 of Spain’s World Cup winners, released a statement on Friday saying that was not enough to trigger their return to national-team duty. The players said they were not yet “in a safe place” to return and that the problems at the RFEF ran far deeper than Rubiales.
However Montse Tomé, who replaced Jorge Vilda as head coach after he was sacked from the post as part of the Rubiales affair, has now included 15 of the world champions in her 23-player squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland.
🇪🇸 Here is Spain’s full squad list for their upcoming Nations League matches
— Alex Ibaceta (@alexibaceta23) September 18, 2023
- 15 World Cup players
- 21 players on this list signed the player statement released the other day demanding changes within the federation pic.twitter.com/QHSekmqWYh
The move has been viewed in some quarters as as attempt by Tomé, who had been Vilda’s assistant for five years, and the federation to end the boycott. Posting on Twitter, Switzerland and Atlético Madrid winger Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic wrote: “This is insane … how can you threaten your own player like this… call them to the national team, when they said they want clear changes before they come back! this is soooo disrespectful.”
Speaking at a press conference Tomé insisted none of the players in her squad had asked not to be selected, adding she had spoken to them but declining to reveal what was discussed. “I have every confidence in the players ... I trust that the players are professionals. They come from being world champions, they love the profession and I know they will be here with us,” Tomé said. “It’s the start of a new phase, the clock is ticking.”
Tomé suggested Hermoso had been left out of the squad because of the intense media attention she had received in the past month. “We stand with Jenni,” said the head coach. “We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni.”
Should they Spain players reject their call-up, the would face sanctions including fines of up €30,000 euros (£25,860) and the suspension of their federation licence for two to 15 years.